Saturday 14 March 2015

Ancelotti To Head For Old Trafford

Despite assurances by Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez that
coach Carlo Ancelotti will keep his job there are suggested the
Italian could replace Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United at the end
of the season.

With Ancelotti having come under fire recently after Real Madrid's two
losses in a row, reports have surfaced, suggesting that the Los
Blancos boss could replace the Dutchman at Manchester United.

The Red Devils boss has also come under scrutiny after his team's exit
in the FA Cup, following their loss at home to rivals Arsenal, and
it's believed that the former Holland manager's job is far from safe
at Old Trafford.

While Van Gaal's future will most likely come down to where United end
up finishing in the league at the end of the season, it's been
reported that Carlo Ancelotti may be keen on a second spell in England
- where he formerly managed Chelsea.

"The club has every faith in its players and coach. No matter what
happens over the next few weeks, Ancelotti will still be the Real
Madrid boss," Perez said at a press conference last Thursday.

Van Gaal's United are currently fourth on the table and only have UEFA
Champions League to fight for, while Ancelotti's team are one point
behind Barcelona, and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
--

South Africa Claims First Successful Penis Transplant

South African doctors have confirmed that they performed the world's
first successful penis transplant, three months after conducting the
ground-breaking operation.

The 21-year-old patient had his penis amputated three years ago after
a botched circumcision at a traditional initiation ceremony.

In a nine-hour operation at the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town on
December 11 last year, he received his new penis from a deceased
donor.

"We've proved that it can be done -- we can give someone an organ that
is just as good as the one that he had," said Professor Frank Graewe,
head of plastic reconstructive surgery at Stellenbosch University.

"It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis
transplant in the world."

Doctors said the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, has made
a full recovery since the operation and had regained all his urinary
and reproductive functions.

In 2006, a Chinese man had a penis transplant but his doctors removed
the organ after two weeks due to "a severe psychological problem of
the recipient and his wife."
--

Labour Leaders Reject NLC Elections Result

PRESIDENT of the Medical and Health Workers Union, MHWUN and immediate
past Treasurer of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC was in the wee morning
Saturday declared new president Congress, amidst protest by some of
the contestants including his challenger, Comrade Joe Ajaero of the
National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE.

The aggrieved leaders are presently in a crucial meeting to determine
the next line of actions.

One of the possible actions, Vanguard reports may be to withhold
allegiance to NLC until their grievances are addressed.

Among labour leaders that have rejected the election results included
the Comrade Joe Ajaero, two Deputy Presidential candidates, Comrades
Isa Aremu and Igwe Achese alongside members of their unions.

They had alleged that the election ab initio was skewed to favour some
candidates to cover suspected fraud fraud.

The retuning officer and pioneer General Secretary of NLC, Dangiwar
Aliyu while announcing the results, declared that Waba pulled 1, 695
votes of the 3115 votes to defeat his main rival, Joe Ajero from the
Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) who pulled 1, 140 votes.
3119 delegates from 43 affiliate unions of the NLC were accredited for
the election.

But the aggrieved members also lamented that some delegates from the
South South and South East were disenfranchised to favour other
'anointed' candidates who would cover ugly tracks.
--Vanguard

UNBELIEVABLE! Dog Kicked By Driver Returns With Other Dogs And Trashes His Car

You know what they say, truth is stranger than fiction. So according
to this report from China (and they have photos to back up their
story) a man returned home in Chongqing China to find a stray dog
lying in his parking spot. The man got out of the car, kicked the dog
and parked. You would think that would be the end of the matter,
right? Well, not as far as the dog was concerned.

According to the story, the dog left and returned a while later with a
park of friends and proceeded to exact its revenge by chewing the
bodywork and windscreen wipers of the car belonging to the man who'd
kicked it. Yep, this really happened...lol. See the photos above.

According to local media reports, the vandalism was photographed by a
shocked neighbour who saw the whole thing play out. If he hadn't
filmed, nobody would have believed it.

UK Jewellers Refuse To Sell Expensive Watch To Samuel Eto'o

Former African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o claimed today March
12th that he tried to buy an expensive watch in a west London
Jewellers but was refused by the sales rep because some Nigerians had
come into the store the other day with fake credit cards.

Eto'o, who is worth over $100million, said he'd gone into the store
with his brother to buy a £10,000 watch, but said the shop assistant
looked at them suspiciously and reluctantly allowed them to view the
watches. Continue, it gets more interesting!

"I went to go buy a watch at a jewellers, not too far from my house.
The watch I wanted to see was expensive. I asked the saleswoman - who
was also black - 'Could you show me that watch please?' First, I saw
her turn to her co-workers like, 'Uh, what should I do?' Eventually,
she let me see the watch. I looked at it and said, 'OK, I'll buy it.'
I took out my credit card and when she went to go run it through the
machine, she came back and said it was declined."

Eto'o, who is the 7th-richest footballer currently playing, said he asked her:

"Was it declined or did you not want it to be accepted?"

He told CNN:

"My brother asked, 'What's going on?' And she said, 'Nothing,
nothing.' But he said, 'No, because when I came in, I saw how all of
you were looking at us ... My brother can afford this and the way you're
treating him shows that you think just because he's black, he can't
afford this watch.'

"The woman then slipped up and said, 'No, it's just that we had some
Nigerians in the store the other day who came in with fake credit
cards. I don't know if you can imagine the weight of what she said. If
one of my own makes a mistake, they judge us all. I don't think she's
a racist person, but she stereotyped all black people as 'those
people'."

Correct Poor Eyesight Naturally With These Tips

More often than not in our daily lives, we find ourselves staring at
tiny type on computer screens and cell phones for long periods of
time, leading to increased incidence of eye strain and fatigue. Add to
this the natural deterioration of vision as we age -- along with the
more serious problems of glaucoma and cataracts -- and sharp eyesight
can seem like a distant dream. Despite these seemingly inevitable
obstacles, we can, in fact, enjoy healthy vision to a ripe old age.
Using contemporary techniques, and trusted remedies, healthy eyesight
is possible without unpleasant procedures or excessive effort.

Eating for healthy eyes

For bright vision -- and to avoid potential problems down the road --
food is a powerful ally. Consuming a nutrient-rich diet helps protect
not only health but also vision. The following edibles are a good
place to start:

Dark leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yellow peppers
and egg yolks contain potent antioxidants like beta-carotene,
zeaxanthin and lutein -- which defend against age-related blindness
resulting from macular degeneration. Drinking freshly pressed carrot
juice, at least twice per day, is an excellent habit that keeps eye
problems at bay.

Foods high in sulfur, lecithin and cysteine are another helpful
addition to the diet. Examples include garlic, onions, shallots,
leeks, tree nuts, dairy, coconut and legumes. These edibles fortify
the lens of your eye, thereby reducing the risk of cataracts.

Blueberries, black currant, acai and goji berries are chock-full of
anthocyanin -- a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that
substantially improves eye health.

Coldwater fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel provide abundant
essential fatty acids that help support cell membranes, which in turn,
encourages sharp vision.

Additionally, vitamins C and E, along with the minerals zinc and
copper, are useful in maintaining healthy eyesight. Citrus fruits,
broccoli and Brussels sprouts are good sources of vitamin C, while
tree nuts (especially almonds) are high in vitamin E and copper.
Pastured beef, wild game and eggs are rich in zinc.

Exercises to improve vision

To support optimal eyesight, Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., PhD,
recommends the following routine:

Warm your eyes. Rub your palms together to create heat, and then place
them against your eyes for five seconds. Repeat this three times.

Roll your eyes. Start by looking up and then slowly circle 10 times
clockwise and 10 times counterclockwise.

Focus. Hold a pen at arm's length, focus your eyes on it, and slowly
bring the pen closer until it's about 6 inches away from your nose.
Then slowly move it back, keeping your eyes focused on the pen, 10
times in all.

Massage your temples. Using your thumb knuckles, massage your temples
in small circles, 20 times in one direction and 20 in the other.
Repeat the same actions above the mid-point of the eyebrows at the
forehead, then below the eyes on both sides of the bridge of the nose.

Also, make sure to get enough sleep, a minimum of eight hours each
night in a sufficiently dark room. Giving your eyes a break each hour
of the workday is helpful too. Moreover, Trayner pinhole glasses
assist in correcting problems such as computer strain, far/near
sightedness, eye strain and headaches.

"Regular use builds up eye muscles and reshapes the eyes. Most people
are amazed when they put pinhole glasses on for the first time and
find they can instantly read small print and see sharply without their
glasses."

INEC Releases Official Report On PVC Collection In Nigeria's 36 States,FCT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a
report of PVCs collected in all 36 states of Nigeria including the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The list contains the data collated from the 36 states in Nigeria
including that of the the county's capital.

It will be recalled that in order to arrest a potential situation like
the loss of the Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) or even difficulty in
locating collection centres, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), has decided to engage the services of the new 7411
National Directory Service.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian presidency has finally expressed concern at
the use of voter card readers for the general elections, questioning
its legality and efficiency, and defending an earlier position of the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party on the matter.
--nai

Keshi, NFF Agree New Deal

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday agreed a new deal with
the coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, after a meeting between
his representatives and the NFF.

A source at the meeting told Channels Television that the agreement
was reached after deliberations.

The source said that the discussion between the two parties went well,
with a lot of maturity and mutual respect.

A formal pronouncement is expected in days.
It is not clear what the new deal is like, but the Super Eagles Coach
had earlier termed the deal offered by the NFF as 'a slave contract'.

Keshi is expected to submit a list of players to be invited for the
friendly games against Bolivia and South Africa on Monday.
Stephen Keshi has been managing the Nigerian National Team since 2011.
--ChannelsTV

German Court Overturns Ban On Headscarves For Female Muslim Teachers

Muslim women teachers can wear headscarves as long as it does not
cause disruption in school, Germany's top court said in a ruling that
overturns an earlier ban and may fuel debate about what some
nationalist groups see as creeping "Islamization". Reutersreports:

The Constitutional Court struck down its own 2003 ban on headscarves
for teachers, which had led some German states to forbid Muslim
headscarves in schools while permitting the use of Christian symbols
such as crucifixes and nuns' habits.

The court in Karlsruhe, ruling on a case brought by a Muslim woman
blocked from a teaching job because of her headscarf, said religious
symbols could only be banned when they posed "not just an abstract but
a concrete risk of disruption in schools".

"This is a good day for religious freedom," said Volker Beck, a
lawmaker from the opposition Greens.

He argued that headgear worn by devout Muslim, Jewish and Christian
women and men was less of a threat to German society than "opponents
of diversity" such as the right-wing Alternative for Germany(AfD),
neo-Nazis and extremist Muslim Salafists.

Oscar Pistorius's Bid To Stop Appeal Against Culpable Homicide Verdict Rejected By South African Court

An appeal against Oscar Pistorius's culpable homicide verdict will be
heard by a court, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled.

A South African court has struck down athlete Oscar Pistorius's bid to
block prosecutors from appealing the culpable homicide verdict handed
down against him, in favour of a murder conviction, for killing his
girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

At the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, Pistorius's defence
tried to block the state's appeal against the 28-year-old being found
not guilty of Steenkamp's murder.

But Judge Thokozile Masipa, who presided over Pistorius's trial,
criticised the athlete's lawyers and rejected their application.

Pistorius was last year found guilty of culpable homicide - a charge
akin to manslaughter - and sentenced to five years in prison for
shooting Ms Steenkamp in 2013.

State prosecutors were granted permission in December to appeal
against the verdict, arguing that Ms Masipa misinterpreted the law
when she ruled Pistorius did not intentionally kill Steenkamp when he
shot four times at a locked toilet door.

Pistorius's legal team countered that his conviction was based on
facts presented during the trial and therefore could not be appealed.

But Ms Masipa said Pistorius's lawyers should argue their point in the
appeals court itself, adding there was "nothing new" in their
application.

"Before I gave my finding in December, both counsel had an opportunity
to argue whether the points raised at the time were points of fact or
points of law," Ms Masipa told the court.

"Procedurally it would be wrong to grant or refuse this application
... I strike off the application."
Ms Masipa's decision paves the way for the prosecution's appeal to go ahead.

During the trial, Pistorius testified that he shot Steenkamp believing
she was an intruder, while the state argued he deliberately killed the
29-year-old law graduate and reality television star after an
argument.

If an appeals court finds him guilty of murder, Pistorius could face
at least 15 years in jail.
--AFP/Reuters

Catholic Priests May Soon Be Allowed To Marry

(Photo: Oscar Crespo, 77, grew up with Pope Francis in Buenos Aires,
and is pictured here during his trip to see him in the Vatican in October.)

A childhood friend of Pope Francis has claimed that he intends to
overturn the centuries-old ban on Catholic priests from getting
married and that he told a divorcee 'living in sin' that she could
receive Holy Communion.

The Pope considers the law on priestly celibacy 'archaic' and 'not
part of the doctrine of the Church', according to the confidante.

The friend also claimed the Argentinian-born pope also vowed to reform
another Catholic rule which bars divorced people in new relationships
from taking the Holy Communion.

According to Oscar Crespo, Pope Francis said that changing the
Catholic law which bars civil divorcees from taking a full part in
church life is the 'number one priority' of his papacy.

Mr Crespo said that the Pope, 78, also sent a message to a divorced
woman 'living in sin' with a new partner assuring her that she was
free to confess and receive the Eucharist.

The Catholic church doesn't recognise divorce, considering that anyone
who remarries or starts a sexual relationship with another person
other than the one they first married is committing adultery.

Taking Holy Communion while in a state of sin is considered an even graver sin.

Argentinian teacher Claudia Garcia Larumbe had sent a message to the
Pope via Mr Crespo asking if she really was excluded from confessing
or taking communion after moving in with her new partner.

After Mr Crespo reminded the Pope that church law "forbids" divorcees
in new relationships from partaking in the holy sacraments, Francis
said: "Just tell her the Pope said that she can".

Ms Larumbe, 39, told MailOnline she was "speechless and emotional"
after receiving the Holy Father's personal dispensation to partake in
the key Catholic sacraments.

The revelations will bring fresh hope to millions of civilly divorced
churchgoers, as well as thousands of clergymen who are increasingly
uncomfortable about their lifetime celibacy vows.

But in a sign the pontiff does not intend to force through the radical
reforms at the expense of church unity, he told Mr Crespo: "Changes
are made either with time or with blood, and I choose peace."

History: Oscar, fifth from left, & the future pope, fourth from right,
in a high school picture together.Mr Crespo, 77, the best friend and
former secondary school classmate of the Pope, travelled to Rome in
October, and spent several hours with him in his private quarters at
the Vatican.

The retired food technician, who took with him letters and messages
from students and staff of their former technical college, revealed
that the pontiff - real name Jorge Bergoglio, was "serious and
passionate" as he talked about what he described as his "two main
plans".

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: "He said, these were his priorities
as Pope. The first of all is to change the rules for divorced couples.

"The second was to eliminate the law of celibacy. He said it was not
part of the doctrine of the church. It was started more than 1,000
years ago by a pope, and he considers it archaic, an antiquity which
needs to be reconsidered.

"He thinks God made everyone to live in family, including priests."
--naijascoop.com

'I Met Pastors, Whitney Houston, Gaddafi In Hell And They Gave Me Messages' --Linda Kumba

A Sierra Leonean woman, Linda Kumba Isatu Ngaujah who said that she
died on Friday, February 15, 2013 and went to hell where she had
encounters with demons and the Devil came back with specific messages
from Gaddafi, Whitney Houston and former President of Guinea, Lansana
Conte.

Here is an extract of her story:
And Jesus pulled out a man from the fire and he introduced himself to
me. He said, "I am Gaddafi" (because you won't recognize him because
the fire has destroyed him. He said, "I am Gaddafi, former Libyan
president."

Gaddafi said, "Tell my Libyan people to worship Jesus." He said, "Tell
my people to believe in Jesus." He said, "Ah Jesus, have mercy, I
never knew you are the right way, have mercy on me." He said, even the
people who killed him on earth, he doesn't want them to come to hell.
He said, "Tell my people to believe that Jesus is the right way."

I saw another president (Former president of Guinea). Why Jesus showed
me these presidents is because He gave me a message for Sierra Leone
president. He said, "tell my people to believe and trust in Jesus." He
said he started a cult that he was sponsoring and he was also in the
cult. He said he wants the people to destroy that cult, let them come
to Jesus.

I saw one prophet: Prophet Mani. He was the owner of the Burning Bush,
that man said he would die but that he would also rise up after three
days. And when he died, they took his body to the mortuary, his
congregation said that they should not bury him. After three days he
did not rise again, he was there for one month until the mortuary
people said they should come and take their corpse away.

I saw one woman - a musician I liked so much - I always listened to
her music when I was in the world - Whitney Houston. She said, "tell
my mother to take my only daughter to church, that all the finances I
left behind should be used to support God's work. Let them support
Jesus' ministry, let them support holiness ministries, let them
support God's work. Let them support Christians - the right
Christians.

I saw my biological parents in hell. My mother, my father and even my
grandmother that just died this January ( I don't like talking about
them) - sobs - it is very painful.
--Talk of naija

"I Used To Preach Inside 'Molue" --Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

The highly respected veteran actress made the cover of TW Magazine's
latest issue.
She talks about a lot of things and how she became a born again
Christian at the tender age of 15.

Read excerpts from her interview below: -

On her dreams in Nollywood:

We were coming from a place where it was disgraceful to be an actor.
My first plan was to earn money to help my brothers. When I achieved
that, my dream was to make this job a success so much that people
would respect me and I would be proud of myself. It was just to earn
the respect of Nigerians.

On people seeing her as headstrong and arrogant:

I realized I was different and it made me a target. A long time ago,
when it was not popular to do so, I demanded that they pack my food on
set. And they said I was proud. I tried to fit in, in the past, but
after a while I feel I don't have to be apologetic. I asked, 'Why am I
too fast?' God told me, if that is how I made you, then don't
apologise for it. I have always demanded high standards, I have
realized that I have the grace and energy to do it. But people do not
understand the whole purpose until I am done.

On her husband:

I am favoured. He trusts my decisions. He knows I am not irresponsible
even if I say so myself. I consider every decision carefully. He may
have reservations but that is human, and that is not going to be a
deal breaker.

On infidelity:

Men cheat for different reasons and women cheat for different reasons.
For women, it usually happens when the spouse does not show care and
love. It is not really the money. I don't lack care; how much can you
possibly give me more than what I already have? Also, you have to
think about what you are going to lose; your home, respect and
integrity. When a woman cheats, then she really wants to cheat and it
will be quite difficult to catch her at it because women are good
planners.

On her religious beliefs:

I gave my life to Christ when I was 15 years and I used to preach
inside 'molue'. It is important that you find Christ and find him
early. It is for your good. The fact that I found Christ early helped
me to be focused. I always rely on God for direction (even when I
wanted to get married), I just have to find peace with it and then go
for it. I really did not indulge in those things that could have
exposed me because I wasn't interested. I don't like clubbing. Even
when I was single, you would have to pay me to go clubbing.

On her music career:

I finished my second album since 2010 but it is not yet out contrary
to insinuations. I am not trying to be a Tiwa Savage. My career is
like a Barbara Streisand kind of career. I said I would bring out an
album every five years. The next step for me is to have my own
entertainment place where you can listen to my music, watch my movies
and experience everything about Omotola.

On the next 20 years:

In the next 20 years, I am hoping that I will be alive and God will
grant me good health. I hope to be a sexy grandmother as well.
--infonaija

Fashola Mocked On Twitter For Blaming Jonathan Over Lekki Robbery

After the robbery attack on Thursday around Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge in
Lagos at First City Monument Bank , the state's governor Fashola
blamed president Jonathan as the cause.

Fashola said that GEJ's planned visit to Lagos led to the low number
of available policemen on hand to take on the armed robbers.The
governor made the accusation on Thursday night at the Intercontinental
Hotel, Lagos, during an APC tagged: 'An Evening For Nigeria'. He said:

"Because Jonathan was coming to Lagos, all the vehicles and police in
Lagos were sent to be on standby for him, and there was no available
not enough to stop the robbery at Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge."

Nigerians picked on those words and now created the #FasholaJoker
hashtag on Twitter , prompting hilarious tweets in mockery of
Fashola's accusation against Jonathan . Its gets more hilarious when
you notice in the tweets below that users challenge their friends to
create much funnier tweets with the #FasholaJoker hastag . Could
Fashola's statement mar hopes of APC retaining power in Lagos state?
Read tweets above.

Tinubu Suffering From Memory Loss, Jonathan Never Offered Him VP Slot --FFK

Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party
Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Femi Fani-Kayode has
described as baseless and false the claim by Senator Bola Tinubu that
the PDP and the Presidency offered him (Tinubu) the position of vice
president in an Interim National Government (ING) if he would part
company with General Muhammadu Buhari.

The spokesman recalled that the Tinubu Media Office recently said that
the PDP and the Presidency tried to fracture the APC by offering
Tinubu the position of vice President in an interim government if he
would agree to part company with Buhari.

It further recalled that once Tinubu rebuffed the offer to participate
in the interim scheme, the presidency decided to change tactics and
planned to silence and if necessary neutralize him.

But Fani-Kayode, in a riposte, said "These allegations are baseless
and false. These people have become prisoners of their own delusions
and they have become victims of their horrific and terrifying
hallucinations.

"We are not in the least bit interested in the formation of an interim
government and we are even less interested in participating in any
contraption in which Bola Tinubu would play any role."

He said further in response to another claim that "Those that killed
Funso Williams know who they are and it is very clear that his spirit
is now tormenting his murderers. Let them be fully aware of this:
whoever it was that killed Funso William will suffer the judgment of
God both in this life and in the life hereafter. God would see to
that".

Continuing, Fani-Kayode insisted that no one was trying to frame
Tinubu for murder and that nobody approached him to be the "Vice
President of anything".

"It is clear that he has an overinflated opinion of himself and he is
suffering from the most extreme form and manifestation of paranoia.

"The man is hiding from his own shadow and the fear of his party
losing at the polls later this month is giving him sleepless nights.
Whether he, Buhari and their APC like it or not, they will be
devastated at the polls and they would suffer a crushing and
irreparable defeat.

Tinubu suffering from memory loss, Jonathan never offered him VP slot
- Fani-Kayode

"The everlasting confusion that would ensue in their camp after
suffering this defeat will never be forgotten. The truth is this: the
dementia in which Tinubu is suffering from has come as a consequence
of his numerous sins. He should settle all these issues with God and
leave us alone", he added.
--dailypost.ng

Jonathan Denies Conversation WithKing, Orders Probe

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday publicly spoke on the diplomatic
row that has developed between the Nigerian Government and the King of
Morocco, King Mohammed VI over a purported telephone conversation,
saying that he never spoke with the king.

The president, while denying that any conversation took place, also
ordered the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to
conduct a full scale investigation to unravel the source of the media
report alleging that a telephone conversation occurred with Monarch.

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC), while reacting to the
incident asked President Goodluck Jonathan to apologize to Nigerians
for the embarrassment that he has caused Nigerian over the phantom
phone conversation.

The president said he "is shocked, surprised and highly embarrassed by
the controversy that has erupted over whether or not" he had a
telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI.

According to the President's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Dr. Reuben Abati, the minister must fish out those responsible for
such misinformation in the foreign affairs ministry, which has not
only embarrassed the country but also led to diplomatic row with the
North African country.

Stressing that the motives for the misinformation must be uncovered,
he also ordered that disciplinary action should be taken against them.

Briefing journalists in Aso Rock yesterday, Abati said, "President
Jonathan has therefore ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Aminu Wali, to urgently undertake a full investigation of
the claim which emanated from the Ministry that the President spoke
with King Mohammed VI.

"The investigation is to identify all those who were responsible for
the unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in
an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national
embarrassment. It is also expected to unveil the motives of the
culprits.

"President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate
disciplinary action be taken against the culpable person or persons".

Abati said the "regrettable furore that has developed over the matter
is due entirely to misinformation as President Jonathan has neither
spoken with King Mohammed or told anybody that he had a telephone
conversation with the Moroccan Monarch".

He, however, admitted that President Jonathan had been speaking with
some African leaders to seek their support for Nigeria's candidate for
the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Clarifying on the extent the president has gone so far, Abati said,
"In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina for headship of the AfDB,
President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King
of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make
necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and
arrange for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.

"Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with
the Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President
Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow-up on his
discussions with the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria's
candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB President".

Maintaining that Jonathan did not speak with the Moroccan Monarch, the
presidential spokesman said, "The President has, however, not yet
spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.

"While awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan
urges Nigerians to disregard the vituperations of opposition elements,
who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a
fresh opportunity to unpatriotically denigrate the government of their
country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price
in the coming elections".

But the APC which issued a statement in Lagos on Friday by its
National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it gave
President Jonathan the benefit of the doubt by asking him to clarify
what happened, just as the Moroccan King has done.

APC noted that, instead, a loquacious spokesman for the President
decided to abuse us instead of addressing the issues. That tells us
that, indeed, these people have something to hide over the phoney
phone conversation,''
--Leadership

Friday 13 March 2015

Aftermath of Disputed Guber Debate: Okorocha, Wife Jubilate In Owerri

A common adage says "a person whose house is on fire does not hunt for
rodents" but the opposite was the case yesterday when security
challenges marred the Imo guber debate organised by the Justice
Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of
Owerri at the Obiri Odenigbo Pavilion, as the Chief Security Officer
of the state and a candidate for the debate, Rochas Okorocha, engaged
in road show while the security of the state was under threat at the
Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.

Imo people were disappointed with the action of the governor for not
making any efforts as the Chief Security Officer and a supposed
participant at the debate to bring peace and calm at the venue of the
programme to ensure that the event was executed as scheduled, having
benefited from the same event four years ago to become the state
governor. Instead, he and his wife showed no interest and respect or
regard for the event and went on road show with school children that
are not up to voting age while the Catholic clergy, widows and church
properties at the venue were manhandled and destroyed by suspected
supporters of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the
moderator marshalled out the rules of the game which they felt was not
comfortable to their principal.

Feelers gathered by our reporters disclosed that the road show was in
celebration of the botched debate which Governor Okorocha had earlier
boasted will not be executed, as he suspected that it will be against
his second term interest alleging that the organisers already have a
particular candidate and known Catholic in mind.

However, the Chairman of the JDPC, Rev Father Casmir Nzeh, who spoke
to media men, submitted that the stakeholders will meet to brainstorm
on whether the marred debate will be rescheduled or not.

The Priest asserted that the turn out of events is very fortunate not
unfortunate as Imolites can equally and easily draw their conclusion
on the candidate and party to vote for, from the incident considering
the level of intolerance and desperation exhibited by the candidates
and their party supporters.
--Trumpeta

Eze Ohiri in Fresh Trouble, Security Aides Withdrawn, Restricted From Ndi Eze Imo State Secretariat As Imo APC Chairman Returns To Court Over Forgery

Indications that concerned authorities are enforcing the Supreme Court
judgement on reinstatement of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as chairman of Ndi
Eze, Imo state have emerged.

After a long court process to regain his position having been
illegally sacked by the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the
apex court finally confirmed the Obi of Obinugwu position.

Trumpeta however learnt that the decision of the final arbiter in
court may have led to the reduction of number of security aides,
especially the police attached to him as hitherto Eze Imo.

Instead of the normal retinue police attaches, Ohiri is said to be
left with only one police personnel similar to other traditional
rulers in the state.

This newspaper further learnt the Obi of Orodo has also been asked to
tactifully keep off within the precinct of the secretariat of Imo
state council of traditional rulers.

Efforts to get the police public relations officer for the state,
Andrew Enwerem react on the matter proved abortive. But a staff of the
Ndi Eze Imo secretariat noted that the absence of Eze Ohiri for a day
or two does not signify that he may have been asked to keep away from
the premises.

Meanwhile, the state APC chairman, Hilary Eke is billed to return to
court in Abuja today in connection with allegation of forgery and
criminal defamation of character.

Eke detained over the matter in Abuja before he was granted bail in
court risks jail if found guilty.
--Trumpeta

NDLEA Discovers House Stocked With Indian Hemp In Ondo

The Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) has discovered a house in Akure, where about 20, 000 kilograms
of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Indian hemp were concealed in
sacks and stocked in the rooms and roofs of the house.

Two young men who were residing in the house suspected to be drug
traffickers, were also arrested and paraded.

The rooms, toilets and roofs of the entire building, having two flats
of 3 bedrooms each, were filled with the consignment. The sacks were
loaded into the pick-up vans to the NDLEA office.

However, the residents of the area said that they had been victims of
armed robbery attacks in recent times.

While some of them gathered around to watch the raid, some others
decided to go up the hills to thank God for the exposure, believing
that the criminals using the area as hideout have been exposed.

The Ondo State Commandant of the NDLEA, Ibrahim Abdul, narrated in a
session, how the place was detected.

He, however, noted that his officers were still investigating, stating
that the major crime suspects would be apprehended soon.

The establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
by the promulgation of Decree Number 48 of 1989, now Act of
Parliament, was aimed at exterminating illicit drug trafficking and
consumption in the Nigerian society.
--ChannelsTV

South African Troops, Others Join Fight Against Boko Haram

South African troops as well as other foreign soldiers have joined in
Nigeria's offensive against Boko Haram insurgents in the nation's
north east region, engaging in ground combat and flying combat air
sorties.

According to VOA, the Federal Government explained that the foreign
military personnel were only advisers accompanying military equipment
purchased from South Africa, Russia and Ukraine.

Activities of the extremist group seeking to impose Islamic rule in
the region have caused the death of several thousands and displaced
over 1 million people in northern Nigeria.

"One soldier, who is living alongside the foreign personnel in a
barracks in the city of Maiduguri, identified the foreigners as South
Africans, Ukrainians and others. He said they were flying aircraft
from the Maiduguri airport."

The corporal, who was also based in the barracks in Maiduguri, said
South African pilots had been flying combat missions using Nigerian
jets, surveillance planes and helicopters, along with jets he said
appeared to be South African.

"All the aerial attacks are being done by the white soldiers using
Nigerian and hired military aircraft," he said.

Another officer, who served as a top aide to the Commander of a
Brigade in Borno state, told VOA there were between 100 and 150
foreign soldiers, mainly South African, working out of Maiduguri and
they were flying fighter jets daily, out of the Maiduguri airport.
--ChannelsTV

Maheeda Afraid Men May 'Devour' Her Daughter

Controversial Nigerian singer, Maheeda, need no introduction because
despite not having hit tracks to show for, she has been able to
register her brand on the minds of most people. She has been able to
do this via some compromising photographs she has put online.

The singer, who is based in Holland with her husband, recently
released pictures of her 14 year old daughter, noting that whenever
she looks at the young lady, she feels like an old woman.

She has now expressed her fears over the consequence of her action,
stating that her daughter may be poached by desperate men.

"Daughter of life! She makes me feel like not to put my pictures up
sometimes but hers. But all these hungry guys," she said.
--infonaija

Widow Ready To Sell Her House On Condition That The Buyer Must Marry Her

A 40-year-old widow living in Indonesia have posted an advertisement
online offering to marry a man who agrees to purchase her home without
negotiating the price. Scoophas more:

Wina Lin, 40, a widowed mother who owns a beauty salon, said she was
planning to sell her home in Sleman due to recent financial troubles
and a friend who works as a real estate agent suggested she post an ad
seeking a buyer and a husband in one.

"The bid of the century!" the advertisement reads. "Buy a house and
marry the owner [terms and conditions apply]. For serious prospective
buyers only. No negotiations."

Wina said a potential husband would have to agree to the full $76,846
asking price for the house. She said she will only accept suitors who
are devout Muslims. Dian Purna Dirgantara, the real estate agent, told
Time there have been numerous calls about the ad.

"Since yesterday morning there are continuous calls, I don't count how
many, there must be dozens or even hundreds," the agent said. Dian
said potential buyers don't necessarily have to be potential suitors.
"If someone just wants the house, they can have that," he said.

Protesters Bar Delta UTME Candidates From Exam Hall

Hundreds of candidates sitting the ongoing Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination in Warri, Delta State, were barred from the
examination hall on Thursday by a mob protesting alleged
marginalisaton by the Petroleum Training Institute.

The protesters, who came from various quarters in Effurun, barricaded
the main entrance of PTI, which is located at the town, and stopped
people from gaining access to the institution.

Consequently, the candidates that were due to sit their UTME
examination in the institution were barred from the school.

The protest also caused serious traffic in that part of the town, with
a spill-over effect on the Warri-Port Harcourt road.

The protesters said they had for long been aggrieved over the
continued marginalisation in the areas of employment, contracts and
other welfare packages.

The protesters, which included men, women and youths, carried placards
with the inscription, 'No employment for our children, no peace for
PTI'; 'PTI has employed 159 persons, we want our 50% job slots'; 'We
want to discuss with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani
Alison-Madueke'; 'Show me what kind of federal character is being
practised in federal institutions in Nigeria and a lot of others'.

Addressing newsmen, Chairman of Uvwie Community, John Enakireru, said
several fruitless representations had been made to the school
authorities to employ qualified youths from the area.

He said, "We are demanding our fair share of job placements for Uvwie
sons and daughters. But PTI authorities continues to turn deaf ears to
our demands.

"It is sad that in its 42 years of existence, no Uvwie person has held
any key position (in PTI). Yet we say we are one Nigeria.

"We are demanding 40 per cent job placements as contained in the bill
establishing the local content scheme for host communities."

Enakireru said the protesters would continue to block the entrance to
PTI till their request was answered.

The Youth President, Mr. Samson Agboire, explained that the school
authorities had completely ignored them and their patience was running
out.

But the Public Relations Officer of the institute, Mr. Brown
Ukanefemoni, pleaded for calm, explaining that the institution was
already discussing the issue.

According to him, the Acting Principal, John Orukele, is a listening
Chief Executive, stressing that he was taking the matter seriously and
urged the protesters to embrace peace.
--PUNCH

Facebook Photo Helps Woman Reunite With Long-Lost Mom After More Than 20 Years Apart

After living more than 20 years apart, a woman and her mother have
been reunited -- in part, due to the Internet, Facebook in particular.
The Huffington Post reports:

U.K. native, Stacey Lee hadn't seen her mother, Brenda Drake, since
she was sent to live with her father and two brothers when she was 2
years old, according to a press release from Cavendish Press. For
years, the now-23-year-old tried to find Drake but had no luck. At her
boyfriend's suggestion, Lee took a picture holding a poster she had
made with her mother's information on it, and shared it on Facebook,
in hopes that the online community could help her.

The board read:

"Looking for my birth mother Brenda Elizabeth Davies. (May have
another name) Born in Leyland. Had me in Manchester General 21st Oct.
1991. I also have 2 other brothers from my mum. If you have anything
please contact me."

The 23-year-old's post quickly caught the attention of people across
Facebook, and was shared more than 100,000 times. Within a day,
Kerianne Davies, a woman who claimed to be Lee's cousin contacted her,
and put her in touch with Drake.

Lee and her mother made plans, and in late February, the pair saw each
other for the first time in about 21 years.

Zimbabwe Expelled From The Preliminary Competition Of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee yesterday, 12 March 2015, notified the
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that it was expelled from the
preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia(tm).

The expulsion comes as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding
debt by ZIFA to the coach José Claudinei Georgini following a decision
passed on 15 August 2012 by the single judge of FIFA's Players' Status
Committee.

As the single judge's decision was final and binding and ZIFA did not
settle its debt, disciplinary proceedings for failure to respect a
decision (in application of art. 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code)
were opened against ZIFA upon the request of the coach.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee passed a first decision in April 2013,
by means of which in particular, and in addition to receiving a fine,
ZIFA was granted a 60-day period to settle half of its debt to the
coach and a 120-day period to settle the remainder of the debt. ZIFA
was warned that, if they did not pay within the granted periods, the
case would - upon the express written request of the creditor - be
resubmitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for the possible
imposition of harsher sanctions, which could lead to expulsion from a
FIFA competition. ZIFA did not appeal the decision.

In view of the fact that ZIFA did not settle its debt to the coach,
and following the request of the coach, the case was presented again
before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rendered a second
decision. In its decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee granted
ZIFA a final period of grace of 60 days to settle the debt with Mr
Georgini. Additionally, ZIFA was warned that, if the debt was not
settled within the granted period (and upon the presentation of a
formal claim by the creditor), then, in addition to the imposition of
a fine, they would be expelled from the preliminary competition of the
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia(tm). ZIFA was informed that the expulsion
would be ordered automatically without any further decision needed
from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and, once more, ZIFA did not
appeal the decision.

Given ZIFA's failure to make any payment within the granted periods
and the request presented by the creditor, the FIFA Disciplinary
Committee - in line with its second decision - ordered the expulsion
of ZIFA from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia(tm).
--fifa.com

Kidnapped Imo Poly Lecturer Released After Ransom Was Paid

At last, the family of Mr. Akwarandu had cause to wear smile on their
faces. This is following the eventual release of their son from
hostage after an abduction incident. It will be recalled that a member
of the family who is also a Senior Lecturer at Imo State Polytechnic
Umuagwo Ohaji/Egbema LGA, was on Monday 2nd March kidnapped.

The kidnappers who invaded his house at around 2am that ugly day made
it known that kidnapping the young lecturer was their sole aim as they
didn't care to cart away money or any valuables from the house. Mr.
Akwaranndu whose house is located at Obinze is a lecturer at the
department of Science Laboratory Technology.

The kidnappers demanded for a whopping ten million naira from the
family for his release.

Www.otowngist.com learnt that the family, in a bid to save their own,
went into bargain with the hoodlums which afterwards ended with the
family paying far less than that for his release.

He was released on Friday and till now, no suspect have been fingered,
while all efforts made to contact Mr. Akwarandu via telephone proved
abortive but Www.otowngist.com can vividly reveal that the young and
vibrant lecturer has resumed work and was pictured on Thursday around
the love garden of the school still looking healthy and happy.

Security Man Murdered At Imo Poly

There are only two words to describe what took place at Imo
Polytechnic on 4th March 2015, BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY.
Gathering at the popular school pavilion, students wondered what could
have warranted this sudden and impromptu call from the number one
citizen of the school (Rector) Rev. Fr. Dr. Wence Madu. It was at the
gathering that the Rector broke the ugly and unfortunate news to the
students which has to do with the wicked murder of a security man in
the school, whose name has not been made public courtesy of
investigations going on behind the stage.

Www.otowngist.com reports that the unfortunate story started early in
the morning when the corpse of the security man was seen lying down at
his duty post, one conspicuous discovery was that his gun was not at
anywhere within sight which suggests that it is either the killer
killed him with his own gun or that he was shot at and the killer made
away with his gun.

More revelations from the sketchy story reveal that at around 11.30PM
in the night, the school experienced power failure. However,
Www.otowngist.com can reveal that the killer made his way through the
fence as that is the only way to access the school compound apart from
the gates.

The hole in the man's body has laid credence that he was killed by the
bullet and before people could come to his rescue, he was already in
the pool of his blood. Different versions of the occurrence have been
flying around the school campus since then though with none suggesting
who could have masterminded the plan to kill the security man.

Another trouble started brimming when the kinsmen of the deceased whom
Www.otowngist.com learnt were from Umuagwo, in a show of grief and
bitterness wanted to disrupt the school activities the next day.
It took the timely intervention of the school personnel security who
locked the gate against them until their frayed nerves were calmed and
they went into dialogue with the school management.

They were promised by the school management that the case will not be
treated with kid glove and that the police have not only been alerted
but are also on top of the matter. Some students who spoke to
Www.otowngist.com expressed optimism that the school management led by
Rev. Wence Madu will fish out the culprit and make sure that he/she
faces the full wrath of the law.

However, when contacted the school authority told Www.otowngist.com
that the security man died at the hospital he was taken to immediately
after the incident. The school authority confided to
Www.otowngist.com that the school is working in synergy with the
Nigeria Police to bring to book the culprit.

FG Has Been Good To IMSU --VC

The Vice Chancellor, of the Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri,
Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, has said the university had received N100
million from Federal Government, through TETFUND Special Intervention
Fund in the last two years.

Awuzie also said IMSU was a beneficiary of the N1.2 billion for the
building of students hostel and its furnishing; N500 million for
equipment and furniture in laboratories; N100 million for procurement
of teaching materials and equipment, and N1 billion for the
construction of a lecture theatre, all from Tetfund Special
Intervention.

He also explained that the institution's management had already
utilised the special intervention fund to furnish the law classrooms,
procured executive tables, white boards, buses and Hilux vans.

Continuing, the VC said that other basic infrastructures where the
Federal Government agencies equally intervened include a 700-seat
capacity terraced lecture theatre, boreholes, a three-floor seminar
complex for the College of Medicine at the Orlu Campus, Faculty of Law
Complex, N350 million model science laboratory complex, reconstruction
and rehabilitation of the university library complex, redevelopment of
the SIWES building, and rehabilitation and refurbishing of the large
lecture hall.

In the area of enforcement of discipline, the VC said over 700
students have been rusticated in the last 12 months for various
examination misconducts.
--Vanguard

Imo State Govt And Abia Counterpart Reach Truce Over Boundary Dispute

A historic truce was achieved yesterday between Imo State Government
and her Abia counterpater over the boundary skirmishes between Ekeoba
Autonomous community of Ihitte-Uboma local government area of Imo
State and Ekeoba Autonomous community of Abia State.

The truce and peace accord was initiated by the Chairman of Imo State
Boundary Commission and the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze
Madumere.

From the testimonies of the Transition Committee Chairman of
Ihitte-Uboma, the Traditional rulers led by EzeOkafor and
collaborating that of their Abia Counterparts led by Eze Nnamdi
Ofoegbu, it was observed that the dispute dated back to betweenn 1952
and 1958 till date.

Prince Eze Madumere who insisted the scene of the clash and the
disputed boundary requested the visit to his Abia counterpart, Chief
EmekaAnanaba who preferred to also come to the disputed parcel of
land. After a close door meeting, the two who are the Chief Boundary
Officers of their differing States agreed to embrace peace. He also
averred that he with his Abia counterpart had agreed that National
Boundary Commission will come into the matte to settle it once and for
all. He therefore called on the disputants to sheath their swords as
they are brothers and sisters since they inter marry and do a whole
lot in common.

Speaking earlier, Abia Deputy who agreed that the skirmishes are not
unconnected to whatever value each of the disputants would have
attached to the land. He said the land in dispute could have been
arbitrarily demarcated relying on natural boundaries.

He however regretted not to have worked with his Imo counterpart in
their effort to establish a police post at the boundary so as to
secure lives and property before the entrants of the National Boundary
Commission.

He observed that since the construction of the bridge that directly
linked the two warring communities, miscreants have been taken undue
advantage to cause all sorts crime in both Abia and Imo State. He
therefore called on the two parties based on the agreement reached
with Imo Deputy Governor to disperse and not to take laws into their
hands.

He further expressed positivity to work with his counterpart, Prince
Eze Madumere to explore the option of a peaceful path by allowing the
relevant agencies come in for its resolution. It was unanimously
agreed that the matter will be best called up immediately after
elections so as to pursue it with big our and resolve the matter for
peace to rain.

Speaking at the event, the number two citizen of Imo State stated that
it was not in dispute that there is an established fact that the land
is question is in dispute.

Meanwhile, Imo Deputy Governor who met the people of Umudibia and
Umuoma, addressed them and commended them for towing the path of
peace. He lamented the impatience of people who willingly take laws
into their hands when there are laid down laws through which disputes
that are boundary and land related could be resolved.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly also
called for caution and calm since the communities in question are one.
He averred that his affiliation with Umuahia as his home makes him
feel even more constrained as to what to do. He therefore warned
against people taking laws into their hands.

INEC Provides 24-Hr Help Line To Ease PVC Collection

In order to arrest a potential situation like the loss of the
Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) or even difficulty in locating collection
centres, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has
decided to engage the services of the All New 7411 National Directory
Service.

According to PM News, INEC's director of voters education and
publicity, Barrister Oluwole Uzzi, said in a chat with the media that
sourcing such information from the Commission through the directory
via telephone calls will cost N12/minute as approved by NCC, which it
noted is not more than the normal call rate in the country,"making it
affordable to all to call at no extra charges to the caller."

In explaining the modality of operation in a letter to the Bureau of
7411 directory and signed by the secretary to the commission, Mrs.
Augusta C. Ogakwu, the commission said that all information
disseminated to Nigerians via 7411 national directory service shall be
accurately sourced from official sources only.

Commending INEC for having faith in 7411 directory and for engaging
its services, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bureau
of 7411 directory, Okeowo Desmond Olasubomi applauded INEC for its
support so far.

Okeowo noted that his team will ensure as part of his company's
corporate social responsibility to Nigerians that 7411 Bureau of
Information will continue to"do our best in helping Nigerians get to
their desired destinations correctly."

Okeowo added that"when Nigerians dial 7411, they can locate collection
points of their PVC cards and voting centres, and thousands of
frequently asked questions and telephones directory of INEC's offices
and hotlines have been uploaded and will be shared daily with
Nigerians as they dial 7411 on a 24hrs. basis speaking their preferred
languages."

It will be recalled that Jega reiterated his promised that the
commission will meet Nigerians' aspiration for free, fair and credible
elections during a meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral
Commissioners in Abuja.

Thursday 12 March 2015

IS Accepts Allegiance Of Boko Haram

The Islamic State group has welcomed a pledge of allegiance to it made
by the Nigerian jihadist organisation Boko Haram, according to an
audiotape Thursday purportedly from its spokesman.

"We announce to you to the good news of the expansion of the caliphate
to West Africa because the caliph... has accepted the allegiance of our
brothers of the Sunni group for preaching and the jihad," IS spokesman
Mohammed al-Adnani said in the message, using the Arabic name for Boko
Haram.

Itself a radical Sunni Muslim movement, IS has seized large swathes of
Iraq and Syria and declared an Islamic "caliphate" there, and has also
drawn expressions of allegiance from jihadists in Egypt and Libya.

On Saturday, an audiotape attributed to Boko Haram leader Abubakar
Shekau said "we announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims,
Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi," referring to IS
leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Shekau has previously mentioned Baghdadi in video messages yet stopped
short of pledging formal allegiance.

But there have been increasing signs that the Nigerian militants,
whose six-year insurgency has claimed more than 13,000 lives and left
1.5 million people homeless, have been seeking a closer tie-up.

IS spokesman Adnani urged Muslims to join militants in West Africa and
insisted that the caliphate was growing.

"Our caliphate is resisting and it is advancing in the right
direction. We are fighting the Crusaders and the rafidah (Shiites) and
day by day the Islamic State is becoming strong," he said.

He insisted that the jihadist group is "sure of its victory"
regardless of the challenges it is facing.

For months, IS has been targeted with air strikes from a coalition led
by the United States and suffered territorial setbacks in Syria and
Iraq.

And Iraqi government forces have closed on the city of Tikrit this
week in a bid to retake it from the group.
--Vanguard

Court Stops AIT, NTA From Airing Documentaries Against Osinbajo

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has stopped the management of
AIT and NTA from airing any damaging documentary on the Vice
Presidential Candidate of the APC, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Prof Osinbajo
had on March 10th filed a motion seeking an order restraining the TV
stations under the control of NBC from a violation of his 'right to
dignity. right to privacy, and right to life'.

Delivering his ruling on the suit, Justice John Tsoho ordered the
broadcasting companies to maintain the status quo pending the hearing
and determination of the applicant's motion on notice for
interlocutory injunction. NBC was also joined as respondents in the
suit. The matter has been adjourned to March 13th for further hearing.
--LIB

10- Year-Old Dies After Classroom Roof Fell On Pupils, Teachers

A 10 year old Primary five pupil, Fibian Lawal died on the spot while
some of her classmates and their teacher sustained injuries after the
roof of their classroom at the Local Government Primary School
Ajeregun in Ogun state crashed down on them when it started raining
heavily on Monday March 9th.Investigations by Punch revealed that the
school building where this unfortunate incident happened was built in
1955 when the school was established. A newly constructed building was
by the side of the old school building which was not in use. According
to the teachers in the school, they were not making use of the new
building even though it was completed in 2014 because it had not been
commissioned by the state government.

One of the pupil of the school, Adijat Ohize, while giving an account
of what happened said "We had finished school but we were all waiting
for lesson when it began to rain. The other teachers left the school
and their pupils, but our aunty did not leave. The rain was blowing
into the classroom and our aunty said we should all run to a private
school beside our school. I ran and got there, but as Fibian stepped
out of the class, her shoes got stuck in the mud on the ground. She
started struggling to get out."she saidFibian's younger brother, Okiki
also explained what happened "When the teacher asked us to go to the
private school because of the rain, I first ran under a mango tree. I
saw my sister struggling and I went to help her, but the roof fell on
her. My hand was injured. I started shouting her name, but she did not
answer me.".

The mother of the deceased little girl, Mrs Olushola Lawal, said
Fabian was the hope of her family as she was a very intelligent girl
who was a good writer. She said he had given her and Okiki N1,200 on
the day of the incident as the family's contribution for a new teacher
employed by the school.

"It was her younger brother, Okiki, that cried home and said Kemi
(Fibian) had died after the roof fell on her. I couldn't believe it
and people kept deceiving me that she was in the hospital. She was a
good writer and could draw anything perfectly. She would just ask you
to sit and she would draw you. She had a note for drawing. She always
said she would take care of me when she grew older. I wish I had died
in her place."

When contacted and asked why the pupils were not making use of the
newly constructed school building, the state Commissioner for
Education Science and Technology, John Odubela said there were
procedures to be followed before the handing over of such new
classrooms.

"The new building was recently completed and there is a procedure to
be followed when a building is completed. The contractor will have to
file notice, among other things. As we speak now, they have opened the
new one for the pupils to use. Government officials from the local
government area and the State Universal Basic Education Board have
visited the family; they were at the girl's burial. The head teacher
of the school did not inform us on time"he said.

Meanwhile the little girl has since been buried.
--PUNCH

63-Year-Old Charly Boy Calls Himself Lucifer As He Releases New Photos

Charly Boy is no stranger to controversy. The veteran entertainer has
been controversial for at least 4 decades and while his new pictures
in which we see him wearing a scarf with a transparent fabric wrapped
around his chest are pretty tame compared to the Unclad pics we've
seen of him in the past, it's what he chooses to call himself that is
shocking!

The 63 year old captioned one of the pictures, "I am Lucifer"

According to the church 'Lucifer' is another word for Satan/the Devil.
Lucifer also means, "Morning Star" or "The planet Venus when appearing
as the morning star"

See what he had to say about calling himself Lucifer and see the rest
of the pics. Am, Lucifer.
No come dey frown face as if you be winche. As you don hear Lucifer
now, e dey be you like make you take off? Sometimes I wonder, What's
really is in a name.

Yea! Sometimes a name could be such a big deal. Am sure you've heard
the phase "As pious as a Pope", but sometimes some of the Popes ain't
all that, abi? As gentle and peaceful as Jesus, who really thought his
followers Love and tolerance.

Now,when you hear the name Lucifer nko? All negative things come to
mind, like demons, Satan, evil, wickedness, name it. However, such
mindset is as laughable as it is ridiculous and nonsensical.

Now, let me bring light to the hidden things of darkness. The task is
a laborious one but it is neither impracticable nor useless, just a
way of sharing this Truth on some things hidden by the darkness of
prejudice and ignorance.

The ignorant erroneously believes that Lucifer = Satan, has struck its
roots too deep in the soil of blind faith, to allow many people to
bravely, boldly, and unashamedly accept the true origins and true
nature of what the so-called Lucifer actually is.

Those who attempt to do so are always bound to be immediately labelled
as "satanists" and "devil worshippers" like Us, by a certain class of
Christian, those whose trademark characteristics invariably tend to be
wilful ignorance and mental laziness.

It has indeed become a "branded name," one which still automatically
conjures up the image of an anthropomorphic devil even in the minds of
the most hardened atheists. Haba, e don do.

Consider these few points.
"Lucifer" literally means Lightbringer, Lightbearer, Bringer of Dawn,
Shining One, or Morning Star. The word has no other meaning.
Historically and astronomically. The word "Lucifer" occurs only once
in the entire Bible.

This is in Isaiah 14:12, which says: "How art thou fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground,
which didst weaken the nations!" Those who read this verse in its
actual context will clearly see that the sentence is applied
specifically to a certain Babylonian king who was an enemy in war of
the Israelites.
--naijavibz.blogspot.com

Adamawa Is Now Free Of Boko Haram --Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Military on Thursday said it has recaptured Madagali in
Adamawa State from Boko Haram insurgents.
In a tweet by the Defence Headquarters, the Army authorities said
troops succeeded in clearing terrorists out of Madagali, the last of
places held by the terrorists in Adamawa.

FLASH: Troops today succeeded in clearing terrorists out of #Madagali.
The last of places held by the terrorists in Adamawa. #NeverAgain

-- DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) March 12, 2015
#MadagaliThere were NO casualties on the side of your Armed Forces.
Mopping up is ongoing. More details later. #AdamawaisFree #NeverAgain.

-- DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) March 12, 2015
Earlier, the Nigerian military had expressed optimism that its
operations to clear the north east of Boko Haram insurgents will soon
be achieved.

Spokesman for the military, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade gave the
assurance while speaking with journalists after a tour of major towns
recaptured from the insurgents by the military.

He said a large number of communities in the north east have been
cleared of the insurgents and the remaining will soon be recovered by
the Nigerian troops.
--

Court Denies Ordering INEC To Include New Party In 2015 Elections

A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to cite the Young
Democratic Party (YDP) for contempt of court for distorting the ruling
of the court delivered on March 4, 2015.

Officials of the party had told a news conference that the court
ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
accommodate the party in the forthcoming elections.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who delivered the ruling, said the statement
is not just an embarrassment to him as a judge but the entire
judiciary, because at no time did he give such an order.

"As far as this court is concerned, no such orders were made. In fact
even the plaintiff, the YDP, did not seek such reliefs from the court.
It is therefore very unfortunate that the court is portrayed in a very
negative perspective," the judge said.

"One would have expected the persons concerned to approach the court
to obtain certified true copies of the court judgment to see the
orders made by the court.

"In the light of this embarrassing circumstance, learned senior
counsel is directed to investigate this ugly development and bring the
person or persons who made the press conferences to appear in the
court to show where such orders were made.

"Failure which the court will not hesitate to charge any person who
misrepresented its judgement for contempt," he said.

The Judge said the party did not ask for that order and therefore he
could not have granted the order that the party be included in the
elections or that the elections should be postponed again to
accommodate the party

He therefore ordered lawyer to the party to investigate the claims and
produce officials of the party responsible for the statements or in
the alternative the party should hold a news conference to correct the
wrong impression made of the court.

Reacting to the allegation, counsel to the YDP, Kelvin Nwufo (SAN),
promised to investigate the matter and assured the court that the
interpretation was a misinformation of what the party said.

Meanwhile, Justice Ahmed Mohammed has adjourned hearing in the
application for stay of execution to the 23rd of March.
--ChannelsTV

APC Tugs Attack Catholic Church Priests In Imo

Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Dr. Anthony Obinna, escaped death by
the hairs breath, while some of his priests were seriously beaten
yesterday, when political thugs, suspected to be working for the All
Progressives Congress (APC), disrupted a political debate organized by
the Catholic Church. The debate, which was to take place at the Maria
Assumpta Cathedral premises, witnessed a large turn-out of supporters
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as those of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They were however attacked by
rampaging thugs who also destroyed the altar of the cathedral and
chairs set out for candidates. The attack abruptly ended the debate as
candidates of the PDP and APGA, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Capt. Emmanuel
Iheanacho respectively, were hurriedly whisked away to safety by
security operatives. As early as 7am Wednesday morning, students of
the Imo State University and Imo State Polytechnic, Government
College, Emmanuel College, Government Technical College, New Owerri
Boys' Secondary School, Development Secondary School, all in Owerri
appeared in their uniforms and took positions to observe the debate.

Also APC women, most of who came in Catholic Women Organisation (CWO)
uniforms as well some widows in mourning clothes, were also around.
Trouble, however, started when the widows started singing solidarity
songs such as "onye ahu kuru Umunwanyi isi mkpe ihe, o gaghi achi anyi
ozo (meaning, the man that beat up widows will never govern us again)"
and "ka o puo (meaning, let him leave)". The women also brandished red
cards and raised them to the air to indicate that their assailant had
been sent off the field. This did not go down well with the APC women
and youths as they went after the widows and started manhandling them.
The state commissioner for Information, Engr. Chidi Ibe was seen in a
very serious scuffle with a PDP chieftain, Nze Law Biaduo This
situation also escalated as some government officials led by one of
the governor's senior aides and a member of the state house of
assembly from Orlu Zone, started destroying the altar and the seats
set for the candidates.This is even as the administrator of the
Archdiocese, one Rev. Fr. Gerald and some other priests were
manhandled and thrown down from the altar, while some PDP loyalists
wearing President Goodluck Jonathan and Emeka Ihedioha branded clothes
were attacked and torn to shreds. At this point, the crowd which had
been waiting patiently for the arrival of the Archbishop to the arena
at the cathedral, scampered to safety while some people from outside
jumped into the nearest vehicles and tricycles and drove off. As this
was going on, the rampaging youths who called Archbishop Obinna
unprintable names, threatened to deal with him if he came for
spearheading campaigns against Governor Okorocha. This, it was
gathered, caused the Archbishop to stay indoors.

He however was led to the altar by the state Police Public Relations
Officer, Andrew Enwerem (DSP) and a team of police officers to see the
extent of damages after the parties had left. He declined comments
when approached to talk by journalists. Speaking however with
journalists, the coordinator of the Justice Development and Peace
Commission of the Archdiocese which organized the debate, Rev. Fr. Dr.
Casmir Nze described the incident as very fortunate and a blessing in
disguise because it helped the church and the people to now know who
should not govern the state by May 29, 2015. He stated that from the
act of the sponsors of the mayhem, it was their intention to disrupt
the debate. The priest denied the insinuations that the Archbishop
could not come out to the venue of the debate because of the death
threat on him by the youths, saying he had only been waiting for a
signal to be given to him before he could appear. When asked whether
the state government did anything to stop the fracas, the priest
expressed disappointment that the government "was aloof while the
brigandage lasted". He could not also understand why some secondary
schools in the state could be closed by the state government just for
them to attend a debate that was meant for people of voting age.

While commiserating with the victims of the fracas, Fr. Nze therefore
announced that the debate had been postponed indefinitely. Speaking
with journalists, the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Ihedioha said,

--africanheraldexpress: